| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | LIFE SPAN | |
| Decrypted files criticise maximum time spent working (4,4) | Anagram of FILES + PAN | |
| 5 | PAROLE | |
| Conditionally release play without every second part (6) | P(l)A(y) + ROLE | |
| 10 | CLAMOUR | |
| Cold ending of political affair generated outcry (7) | C + politica(L) + AMOUR | |
| 11 | LOADING | |
| A racket noted in journal is appearing on screen (7) | (A + DIN) inside LOG | |
| 12 | ERECT | |
| Standing on ceremony initially in middle of cemetery (5) | [ON + (C)eremony] inside cem(ET)ery | |
| 13 | SNOWDRIFT | |
| Directly drive inside separate feature of Thredbo, say (9) | (NOW + DR) inside SIFT | |
| 14 | POSTGRADUATE | |
| “Who wants more qualifications adjusted?”, a tutor gasped (12) | Anagram of A TUTOR GASPED | |
| 18 | PLAIN-DEALING | |
| Honest dean moved into place suffering from poor health (5-7) | Anagram of DEAN inside (PL + AILING) | |
| 21 | COLD FRONT | |
| Old Father, working in court, identified change in atmosphere (4,5) | (OLD + FR + ON) inside CT | |
| 23 | GET TO | |
| Arrive at poor part of city with no hospital (3,2) | GHETTO minus H | |
| 24 | ROOSTER | |
| Farm animal, duck, included in inventory (7) | O inside ROSTER | |
| 25 | OPALINE | |
| Say something about aluminium and glass (7) | OPINE outside AL | |
| 26 | MUSCLE | |
| Uncle Sam moved around without using an elevator, for instance (6) | Anagram of UNCLE SAM minus AN | |
| 27 | ASSESSOR | |
| Fool ordered roses for someone in the tax department (8) | ASS + anagram of ROSES | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | LACKEY | |
| Servant trimmed lace of great importance (6) | LAC(e) + KEY | |
| 2 | FEARED | |
| Sensor grabbed by American agent as anticipated (6) | EAR inside FED | |
| 3 | SHORTHORN | |
| Cow and horse mostly chewed something prickly (9) | Anagram of (HORS)e + THORN | |
| 4 | ACROSS-THE-BOARD | |
| A sober host ordered in eccentric General (6-3-5) | A + (anagram of SOBER HOST inside CARD) | |
| 6 | AWARD | |
| A council’s administrative division bestowed honour (5) | A + WARD | |
| 7 | ORIGINAL | |
| Novel is not written about one game of cards (8) | ORAL outside (I + GIN) | |
| 8 | EIGHTEEN | |
| Number three-way joint needed in new design of hinge (8) | TEE inside anagram of HINGE | |
| 9 | BLOOD RELATIONS | |
| Soldier on boat switched around large family (5,9) | Anagram of SOLDIER ON BOAT outside L | |
| 15 | DENIGRATE | |
| One taking part in study recollected great slander (9) | I inside (DEN + anagram of GREAT) | |
| 16 | SPECTRUM | |
| Range and assortment of crumpets (8) | Anagram of CRUMPETS | |
| 17 | BALLOONS | |
| Gasbags wholly taking part in benefits (8) | ALL inside BOONS | |
| 19 | STEINS | |
| Bits of toothpaste in small mugs (6) | toothpaSTE IN Small | |
| 20 | DOG-EAR | |
| Establish a place to take drugs (3-3) | DO + GEAR | |
| 22 | FATAL | |
| Adipose tissue added to male’s middle could be disastrous (5) | FAT + m(AL)e |
